7 essential tips for writing a winning data science specialist resume

From the moment you get into data science, you realize that getting the job of your dreams was not as easy as you thought. Yes; data is the most valuable resource for all big organizations nowadays. The decisions they make depend on data analytics, so data science specialist certainly have opportunities. The job market, however, is highly competitive.

A survey found that 13.2 percent of data scientists are looking for a new job. Most people in the field spend 1-2 hours on a weekly basis searching and applying for a new job.

So if you have your eye on a new data science specialist job, you’ll face fierce competition. Your skills matter, but the way you write this resume also matters. This document is your first contact with a potential employer. The way it conveys your skills and personality will determine the outcome of the application process.

So how do you write a good resume for this industry? Follow these 7 tips and you’ll do just fine:

Get into the Mind of a Hiring Manager

To write the perfect resume, you must understand how HR specialists think. They are both data scientists and talent analysts. Basically, they apply big data techniques to talent acquisition processes.

What does that mean for you?

HR specialists use applicant tracking systems. They store all resumes in a database. When they have an open position, they use keywords to extract relevant resumes from that database. So you have to use relevant keywords. Don’t even think about using Thesaurus to find big words that make you look smarter. The hiring manager won’t use those words to search through the base. Just use simple keywords that are relevant to the position you want.

They want to see data. You want to give them numbers, so you’ll present real achievements. Include percentages and numbers that reflect your success on previous positions. How much did you help a company grow? Since we’re talking about presenting data, you might want to include graphs and charts in the resume. Moreover, you should think about turning it into an infographic resume.

Know the Employer

A HR manager only cares about the way you are going to help that company grow. When applying for a position as a data scientist, the resume shouldn’t be self-centered. Of course it will be all about you. However, the skills and experience you present should translate to the way the organization will benefit from them.

Start by doing your research. The job description already tells you what kind of professional the organization is looking for. When you present yourself through the resume, you should show you have the exact skills, experience, and interests they want to see.

But don’t stop there! Visit the company’s website and blog. See what the main focus is. Go through the projects and think: how can you contribute towards improvement? When the HR manager reads this resume, they should think: “Oh; this is the person to take us forward!”

Make an Outline

If you’d like to use a template at this stage, it’s okay. The template will indicate the things you have to cover in your resume. But you may also create your own outline, which goes through these categories:

Name and contact information

Include your website, LinkedIn profile, Medium articles, and any other link where the hiring manager will see more about your work.

Work experience

List the experience in reverse-chronological order, starting from the most recent job you had. It’s best to focus on technical data science roles. Mention the technical skills you implemented throughout that job.

Skills

The resume should be brief, so you’ll only list the skills that have something to do with this job. Database knowledge and programming languages are crucial, so list them all. Additionally, you may include data mining and processing, as well as mastery of SAS and other analytical tools.

Soft skills are also important. Mention strategic planning and good written/oral communication skills.

Education

Mention all certificates you earned.

In bullet lists, shortly note what you’re going to write in all these sections. From there on, it will be easy for you to write the resume.

In a Data Science Specialist Resume, Skills Are the Main Focus

The skills section is one of the main factors of attraction in a resume. From a data analyst, the employer expects you to meet very specific skills, including programming languages. For a data analyst aiming for a position in the HR department, the employer expects the candidate to have leadership skills as well.

Keep this section short. Mention only the relevant skills. You don’t have to describe them in detail. If, for example, you mention a particular programming language, you don’t have to talk in general. “I’m very good with MySQL” means nothing to an employer. But if you list this programming language and include a link to a case study analyzing a project you were part of, you’ll make an impact. It’s about showing; not telling.

Write It Clearly!

Once you have an outline and you listed the information for the sections, you may pull it all together. At this point, you must focus on value. You’re not just listing previous positions; you’re showing how those positions logically led you to this career step.

Under each job title you mention, you should describe the responsibilities and achievements. Show results in numbers and percentages!

Keep in mind that HR professionals are well-connected. They are not just hiring managers who post ads and interview candidates. They are also effective recruiters. For you, this means that you want to get your resume out there. Post it at your website and turn it into an impressive LinkedIn profile.

Step Up the Game

When it’s good enough, a basic resume is enough. But if you really want to make an impression, why don’t you opt for another type? The infographic resume, for example, is especially effective for data scientists, simply because it’s the best format for presenting data.

You don’t have to opt for a very complex design. Simplicity still works best. But don’t shy away from colors and design elements that can emphasize the most important details in the resume.

Don’t Skip the Editing Part

Data scientists must showcase great attention to detail. That’s what their job is all about: analyzing details. If you skip the editing process and submit a resume with a single flaw, the employer will assume you were not attentive enough.

Go through the resume several times, paying attention to every single sentence and word. When you’re sure it’s absolutely clean of errors, it will be ready to go.

Despite the negative hype about automation taking away the jobs of data specialists, you shouldn’t worry. There are lots of opportunities for you. It all starts with the resume, so you need to get it right. Hopefully, the above-listed tips will help with that.